Director Harry Gantz Reminds Social Workers Feb. 11 is 211 Day

Director Harry Gantz, who along with his brother Joe made the award-winning HBO series “Taxicab Confessions,” emailed SocialWorkersSpeak.org yesterday to tell us to remind social workers that Feb. 11 is National 211 Day.

People in need can call 211 lines to get help with medical care, food, utilities or rent. The lines are sometimes manned by social workers and often managed by social workers with a master’s degree.

More than 246 million Americans in all 50 states have access to 211 lines, which may be funded by local United Ways, community foundations, Federal, state and local government funds.

The Gantz Brothers have a new documentary called “American Winter,” which will premiere on HBO on March 18. “American Winter” (Here’s the Facebook page) looks at families in Portland, Ore. who are struggling to survive in the wake of the Great Recession.

The film includes footage of 211 call lines.

Gantz said social workers can visit your local 211 line website to find out about National 211 Day activities in your area.